Thursday, November 1, 2007

November is Prematurity Awareness Month.

Do you know someone that had a baby born too soon?

Prematurity is the leading killer of America's newborns. Those who survive often have lifelong health problems, including cerebral palsy, mental retardation, chronic lung disease, blindness and hearing loss.

Prematurity has been escalating steadily and alarmingly over the past two decades. In 2004, more than 500,000 infants were born prematurely, the highest number ever reported for the U.S. In 2005, the United States as a society paid at least $26.2 billion in economic costs associated with preterm birth (medical and educational expenses, loss in productivity).

Preterm delivery can happen to any pregnant woman. In about four out of every 10 cases, the causes are unknown. It is important to learn the signs of preterm labor.

The March of Dimes has taken on this devastating problem—to find out what causes it and how it can be stopped.

Our son Mason was born nearly two months premature. He spent a full month in the NICU. I'm really glad to say that he suffered no ill effects whatsoever and is now a brilliant, robust three and a half-year-old. I'm truly impressed with the advances in medical care that allow a three-pound premature baby to thrive.

Our daughter was born last October more than three months early and weighing only 1 pound, 7 oz. She was in the NICU for a harrowing three months. She's doing so well these days. We feel so lucky!! Now we are supporters of the March of Dimes (we had about 20 family members walk last spring) and I want to get even more involved. Prematurity wasn't even on my radar screen when I was pregnant. I didn't know anyone who had a premature baby. After our experience, I sadly can see that the numbers are not overblown--this affects too many people.